Self Advocacy

Brilinta

by Julros - 2024-01-23 01:29:41

Yes, Brilinta is a sort of blood thinner. Specifically, it prevents platelets from sticking together, which is one step to forming clots It is often given after a coronary stent is placed. Ballooning open a coronary artery and placing a stent roughs up the inside of the artery, increasing the risk of a clot forming and causing a heart attack. It is also given to prevent stroke. 

Please check with your medical provider about stopping Brilinta. You could be at risk for an MI or stroke. 

Always seek your doctor's advice before stopping medication

by Gemita - 2024-01-23 06:39:00

This is a very difficult one to answer Pacer2019 and as Julros says the main concern with stopping blood thinners is the potential risk of having a stroke.  A hematoma or significant bruise from injury to a blood vessel will eventually heal but without anticoagulation or anti platelet treatment, clots could form and cause real harm. 

Bruising can be extensive following any intervention, particularly for those of us taking regular anticoagulation or anti platelets as I well remember following my angiogram from right femoral artery puncture to get a catheter placed.  I had extensive bruising which was eventually confirmed as a pseudo aneurysm.  My hospital stay was prolonged (extra 5 days spent in hospital) because I had been taking anticoagulant (Edoxaban).  Edoxaban was immediately stopped and only resumed after one week when the pseudo aneurysm showed signs of healing.  Today, five years later, I am still getting intermittent discomfort in my right thigh area. I need daily Edoxaban to protect me from the risk of having an Atrial Fibrillation stroke.

Many doctors ask us to continue to take our blood thinning meds with minor procedures nowadays because of the real risk of a stroke if we have risk factors.  Of course we are then exposed to the risk of having a bleed, sometimes a significant one.  It is a hard to know what to do for the best sometimes, isn’t it, but after seeing my husband experience two transient ischaemic attacks following an angiogram and stent placement, on balance I would rather risk having a slight bleed. 

A bruise or hematoma can be extensive and look absolutely awful as it drains and may take up to a few months to clear.  My bruising (purple and blue) extended from the right thigh down the right leg to below the knee.  I won’t post pics, it was too awful.

I think you need to speak to your doctors before any future procedure since you do appear to bleed all too easily.  It could be that next time they will recommend stopping your anti platelet or switching you to a different med for a few days to protect you.  However, with your history of heart disease, stent and a falling ejection fraction, it is difficult to know how best to advise you.  

My husband also had a bleed during pacemaker implant while on triple therapy:  Clopidogrel, Aspirin, both anti platelets (for stent protection) and Edoxaban for (Atrial Fibrillation protection).  His bruising was extensive also, so it can be a real problem for so many of us.

I am glad you are back on your anti platelet med but do always tell your doctors well before you decide to stop your medication for long periods!  Better still don't do this without their prior knowledge.  It could cause serious harm.  

Yes!

by Pacer2019 - 2024-01-23 17:14:40

All very true... THE EP doctore was suprised at all the blood.  

I have this theory that there have been lots of advancements to stop bleeding given the ongoing wars over the last 20 years.... taruma care has improved dramatically as a result. 

Suicide bombs are even made with rat poison which is a powerful anti-coagulant - 

I assume when they tell me "take normal medicine" the day of surgery they kniw what Itake and have thought it through? Or I hope theybhave but again...it's a big messy system and stuff falls through the cracks i believe.